Combined latch and check



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. WRIGHT.

COMBINED LATCH AND 011501;.

N0. 534,706. Patented Feb. 26, 1895.

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(No Model.) s Sheets-Shet 2. R. WRIGHT. COMBINED LATCH AND CHECK.

No. 534,706. Patented Feb. 26, 1895.

(No Model.) 3 sheeps sheet 3.

R. WRIGHT.

COMBINED LATCH AND CHECK.

No. 534,706. Patented Feb. 26, 1895.

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RUFUS WRIGHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED LATCH AND CHECK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,706, dated February 26, 1895.

Application filed January 8,1894. seen No. 496,099. on model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUFUS WRIGHT, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Oombincd Latch and Check for Doors and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in a combined latch and check adapted to normally or ordinarily oppose the closing of a door with a yielding spring resistance of sufficient strength to act as a check against undue slamming of the door, and also adapted to permit its catch portion to be relieved at will from such normal spring resistance, so that when the door is closed and latched and it is desired to unlatch and open the same, the latch .can be relieved from the normal spring resistance and hence can be easily retracted.

My invention broadly contemplates relieving the latch either entirely or partially from the spring resistance normally opposed to its retraction, it being .understood that in both instances the latch is relieved from the normal 7 spring resistance.

My invention also consists in certain details of construction, hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face or plan view of a combined latch and check embodying the principles of my invention, the cover or face plate being removed, and the elastic air cushion employed as a spring resistance being shown in its normally expanded condition. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the elastic spring cushion compressed in advance of the retraction of the latch so as to open its main vent and thereby relieve the latch from the normal spring resistance presented by said cushion when its main ventis closed. Fig. 3 is a section through Fig. 1 on line -02:. Fig. 4 illustrates the latch or catch of the preceding figures removed. Fig. 5 represents a device employed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for compressing the elastic air cushion in advance of the retraction of the'latch, and for retracting the latch. Fig. 6 represents a section taken longitudinally through the casing,

and illustrates in elevation, an arrangement whereby the latch can be relieved from the spring resistance without compressing the latter as in preceding figures. Fig. 7 is a face or plan view of the same with the cover or face plate removed. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the latch relieved from the spring resistance. Fig. 9 illustrates the latch or catch of Figs. 6, 7 and 8, removed. Fig. 10 illustrates the device which can be normally interposed between the latch and spring resistance of said figures. Figs. 11, 12, and 13 respectively correspond with Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the devices being similar in principle but involving slight changes in detail, as hereinafter explained. Figs. 14. and 15 are sections on different planes, illustrating means for venting the air elastic cushion when it is desired to manually retract the latch. 7

Referring to the first five figures of the drawings, the spring resistance is afforded by an elastic air cushion A, which is confined within the latch-case B, and arranged in opposition to the retraction of a sliding latch or catch 0. This elastic air-cushion is provided with a very small and constantly open vent, as at a, and it is also provided with a larger vent or port a which is arranged opposite the rear portion 0 of the latch and normally closed by the same. WVhen therefore the device is employed in conjunction with a door (for example) the closing of the door will cause the latch to be retracted against the elastic air-cushion with the main vent a of the latter closed by the latch, and hence the retraction of the latch will be opposed by the full or normal spring resistance afforded by the elastic air cushion. With such conditions, the spring resistance and. latch, combine to form a'check adapted to prevent undue slamming of the door.

In order to relieve the latch from the spring resistance normally opposing its retraction, so that preparatory to opening the door the latch can be manually retracted with ease, means are provided whereby the main vent a of the elastic air-cushion can be opened preparatory to, and kept open during the retraction of the latch, in which way such compression on the part of the elastic air-cushion as may result from the retraction of the latch can be easily effected. As a means for thus opening the main vent a. preparatory to the retraction of the latch, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 illustrate a movable venting device-D arranged for venting the elastic air-cushion at will of the operator, and consisting of a slide which can be retracted independently of the latch to an extent to compress the elastic air-cushion in advance of the retraction of the latch, so that when the latch is retracted as in Fig. 2, the depression in the elastic air-cushion caused by the action of the venting device will maintain the main vent or port a, in an open condition. The venting device D can also be employed as a retractor for retracting the latch, and to such end it has a limited sliding connection with the latch, as for example, it is provided with a lug 01 arranged to slide within the groove 0 in the latch. When thus used, it can be operated by any suitable device, as for example, by a spindle E journaled in the casing and having a bent portion or ward 6 arranged to engage in a notch cl in the venting device. By such arrangement the spindle which is conveniently provided with a knob or handle-portion 6 can be turned so as to move back the venting device independently of the latch to an extent to compress the elastic air-cushion, and thus open its vent or port a. Further operation of the spindle in the same direction, will bring the lug (Z on the venting device into engagement with the wall at the rear end of the slot in thelatch and hence cause a simultaneous retraction of both the latch and the venting device. In this way therefore, a combined retractor and venting device is pro- Vided, since in addition to its function as means for venting the elastic air-cushion, the device in question is further adapted for retracting the latch.

Upon releasing the spindle, the air-cushion will expand to its normal condition and in so doing throw the latch into its normally projected position, in which condition, the main vent or port of the elastic air-cushion will be normally closed and hence it will again oppose its normal yielding spring resistance to the retraction of the latch. A much stronger spring check could of course be secured by dispensing with the very small vent a but in practice such vent will be found desirable, and being a mere pin-hole, will not detract from the efficiency of the air-cushion as a spring.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, the latch O, normally retracts against an elastic air-cushion A through the intervention of a member Farranged to normally provide a rear extension for the latch. The rear endf of this latch extension abuts against the elastic air-cushion A, and the latter in place of being provided with the vent a of preceding figures, is simply provided with the constantly open pin-hole or minute vent a for reasons hereinbefore set forth. This latch-extension F is separate from the latch, and has its forward portion arranged within a slot 0 in the latch. The slot (2 is formed with a shoulder 0 and the latch extension is provided with a shoulder f (Figs. 9 and 10). Said shoulders of the latch and its extension are normally in engagement with one another, so that when the latch is moved back by the act of closing the door, the latch will in effect be retracted against the full or normal resistance of the elastic air-cushion. In order to relieve the latch from such resistance, so that it can be easily retracted, the member or extension F can be raised so as to free it from positive engagement therewith, it being seen that the slot in the latch is of sufficient width to admit of such movement on the part of member F, and that when the forward portion of the latter is thus raised, its shoulder f will be freed from shoulder a in the latch-slot, and thereby allow the latch to be retracted independently of the member or extension F. During said operation,the portion of member F within the latch-slot will simply rest upon the forward inclined bottom wall 0 of said. slot, so that while the member or normal extension F remains passive, the latch will be moving back, and while thus operating will be relieved from a spring resistance normally opposing its retraction. After thus retracting the latch, and opening the door, thelatch can be moved forward either manually or by any desired arrangement of light spring arranged independently of the spring cushion A. For example, a spindle G somewhat similar to the spindle in preceding figures can be employed, and its bent-portion or ward 9 can be used for unlocking member F from the latch and for both retracting and projecting the latch while it is thus relieved from the resistance of cushion A. With such arrangement, the ward g on the spindle can be arranged for operation between shoulders 0 c", on the latch, so that the latter can be operated by the spindle similar to the operation of a latch by the ward of an ordinary key. The ward g of the spindle can also be employed for unlocking member F from the latch, and to such end, it can be arranged so that when the spindle is turned in one direction, it will come under the forward inclined end portion of member F and thus suitably lift the same out of positive engagementwith the latch, and then engage shoulder c on the latch so as to retract the latter.

Obviously a coiled spring could be applied to the spindle so as to cause it to normally project the latch, or a light spring could be applied to the latch for such purpose, and since springs for normally projecting latches are so well known and common devices, it is not deemed necessary to make special illustration of the same. In order to insure positive engagement between the member F and latch when the latter is projected as in Figs. 1 and 2, a spring I is secured within the casing B and arranged, to bear upon said memberor extension mernbenas it may be termed. By such arrangement the forward portion of the extension member F will be caused to drop and engage the stop or shoulder c of the latch when the latter has been projected as in Fig. 8.

In Figs. 11, 12, and 13, the construction IIO the construction illustrated by Figs. 6 to 10,

. inclusive, the difference between said two sets of figures being in details. Thus, in Figs. 11

'to 13, inclusive, the latch Ois a swinging member is forked to embrace the latch and provided with a cross-pin f 2 which is normally Within notch c at the rear end of slot 0 of the latch. By such arrangement the extension member F can be temporarily locked to the latch so that when the latch is forced back by the act of closing the door, it will be opposed by the full or normal resistance of a spring afforded by the elastic air-cushion. In order to relieve the latch from the spring resistance normally opposing its retraction, a latch operating spindle G journaled in the casing, has a ward or bent portion 9 which will engage under and slightly raise the forward portion of member F when the spindle is turned in a direction to retract the latch and'thereby lift pin f out of notch 0 Further movement of the spindle in the same direction causes its ward to engage a stop on the latch and thereby retract the latter independently of member F, as in Fig. 13.

In Figs. 14 and 15 the latch K is arranged to slide and is provided with a rotary rear extension member L which is journaled in the latch as at Z, Z. The rear end Z of said member L is channeled as at Z so that by rotating said member to a proper extent the rear end of its gap or channel Z can be brought into register with a main vent or port a with which the elastic air-cushion A is provided as in the first three figures of the drawings. Normally the channel Z is out of register with port a of the elastic cushion so that the latch will be opposed by the full or normal resistance of said cushion, and hence the latter will serve as a check. By properly turning member L however, port a canbe opened, and hence said member L, like member D in the first three figures, providesa venting device. This rotary member L can be turned in any suit able way. For example it can have a cam or spiral groove Z in which a stud M is arranged to work. 7

In Fig. 15 the stud M is fixed on a slide m, which is guided by a slot m in a wall m within the casing, and moved back and forth by the ward g of a rotary'spindle G at will. In order therefore, to relieve the latch from the full or normal spring resistance, the spindle can be turned so as to move back the slide and in so doing the stud M acting within groove Z will first turn the member L'until the air-cushion is fully vented, as in Fig. 15, and then, acting against the rear end wall of said groove will retract the latch against the fully vented air-cushion. g

In all of the constructions herein illustrated I have shown an elastic air-cushion as a springyand in certain of said constructions, to Wit, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 14 and 15, the'elastic aircushion is of course essential. I also prefer the elastic air-cushion in the remaining constructions illustrated although other formsof springs constituting elastic cushions could be employed in Figs. 6to 13 inclusive. It is un derstood however, that all of the constructions, broadly considered, involve a common principle, to wit :a combined latch and check in which the latch is normally opposed by the full or normal resistance of a spring so as to provide a check adapted to resist undue slamming of the door or shutter to which the de vice may be applied, and that in conjunction therewith, means are provided whereby the latch can be relieved of the full or normal opposition of said spring, either wholly-or in part, it being true thatin either case the spring resistance normally opposing the retraction of the latch is relieved. It is also understood that various modifications can obviously be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention, itbeing considered, that having illustrated several of such, it is unneccessary to encumber my application, illustration and description of all possible ways of carrying my invention into effect.

With further reference to Figs. 14 and 15, it will be seen that the venting device is movable independently of the latch, but is connected therewith so as toalso provide a latchretractor, and that said venting device provides a valve for opening and closing port a of the elastic air-cushion.

It is my purpose in this specification to cover all matters common to the several constructions shown, and to select for special claims, the device of Figs. 14 and 15.

In my application for Letters Patent of the United States No. 452,513 I have elected to more specifically claim the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, and in another application, Serial No. 496,100, filed by me of even date herewith, I have elected to more specifically claim the constructions of Figs. 6 to 13 inclusive.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. A combined latch and check for doors and the like comprising a normally projected latch, an elastic cushion normally opposing the retraction of the latch and constitutinga spring resistance'by which undue slamming of the door or the like is prevented, and means substantially as described for relieving the latch from the spring resistance of the elastic cushion, so as to allow the latch to bemanually retracted with ease.

2. A combined latch and check comprising a latch and an elastic air-cushion having a normally closed port and in such condition normally opposing the retraction of the latch, and a venting device operative independently of the latch for the purpose of temporarily opening said port and permitting the latch to be retracted against the reduced spring resistance afforded by the elastic air-cushion, having its said port open, substantially as set forth.

3. A combined latch and check comprising a latch and an elastic air-cushion having a port and arranged in opposition to the latch a projection on the latch for temporarily closing the port so as to provide a strong spring resistance, and a venting device for opening the port so as to provide a weak spring resistance in opposition to the retraction of the latch, substantially as set forth.

4. A combined catch or latch and check for doors and the like, comprising a catch or latch, an air-cushion opposed to the automatic retraction of the same, and means for compressing the air-cushion independently of the latch so as to reduce its elastic resistance and permit the easy man ual retraction of the latch, substantially as set forth.

5. A combined catch or latch and check for doors and the like, comprising a catch or latch, an air cushion having a vent which is closed by the automatic retraction of the catch or latch, and a retractor for both retracting the catch or latch and venting the air cushion so as to reduce the resistance to the manual retraction of the catch or latch, substantially as set 'forth.

6. The combination with the latch of an elastic air-cushion having a port a and a venting device providing avalve for opening and closing said port whereby the latch can 3 5 be retracted against a variable resistance,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a latch, of an elastic air-cushion having a port, and a venting device connected with but movable independ- 4o ently of the latch and providing a valve for opening and closing said port, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with a latch of an elastic air-cushion having a port, and a rotary 45 venting device connected with but movable independently of the latch and providing a valve. for opening and closing said port, substantially as described.

9. A combined latch and check comprising 50 the latch K, the elastic air-cushion A having a port at, the rotary venting device L connected with the latch to form a retractor but operative independently of the same and providing a valve for opening and closing said 55 \Vitnesses:

BETA M. WAGNER, CHAS. G. PAGE. 

